Foscari and the Moretti were rising from their seats and talking amongst themselves, I went back to Hadrian’s side and squatted down next to him.
His eyes were cracked open, a gruesome smile stretched across his face. “I had no idea you were such an orator.”
I shot him a wobbly smile. “Neither did I.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?”
“I didn’t know until a few days ago.”
A dreamy expression flashed across his face. “Oh,” he said, right before he passed out.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
I turned my face to the sky, letting the moon kiss me in greeting. I was alone on the balcony while Hadrian slept soundly in bed.
He’d been transported back to my ancestral home where a surgeon had tended to his injuries. He’d stitched what could be stitched, repaired what could be repaired. Due to the slashing of his hamstring, Hadrian might never walk normally again, the doctor had said.
Only time would tell.
He had a broken nose, cracked and bruised ribs, a concussion, a sliced hamstring, and a deep stab wound.
And he was still recovering from an accidental poisoning.
He was lucky to be alive.
We both were.
The surgeon had seen to my hand after he’d tended to Hadrian, and then he’d taken the time to examine me. I was healthy, and I cried when the doctor said he believed my baby was healthy as well.
Reluctantly, I went into the bedroom, but left the balcony doors open to allow fresh countryside air to circulate. Fragrant beauty was carried on the wind.
I touched Hadrian’s forehead and then slid my hand down to his chest. He wasn’t hot, and I hoped that meant the antibiotics were working their magic, but it was still too soon to tell.
“Think you can slide that hand a wee bit lower?” came his throaty growl.
I yanked my hand away. “You’re supposed to be asleep.”
“How am I supposed to be asleep when you’re groping me?”
“I’m not groping you,” I said.
“Aye, and that’s the problem.” He cracked his lids. “Can I have some water?”
I nodded and then went to the bedside table and turned on the lamp. I poured him a glass. He was already propped up against the pillows, so it took very little effort to get the liquid and pain pills into him.
“I can’t believe I’m accepting hospitality from the men that stole you from my own home,” he stated. “I wish we were back on my island. I don’t trust your family.”
“That makes two of us,” I remarked dryly. “But you’re not well enough to travel. You need to rest, Hadrian.”
“Where are they?” Hadrian asked.
“Where are what?”
“The rings that cheating, lying, bastard slid onto your finger?” His blue-gray eyes were stormy with anger.
“I gave them to his brother when they carted his body from the arena. You don’t know this, because you passed out, but I spit on his corpse.” I raised my eyebrows. “Does that make you happy?”
“Hardly,” he snapped. “I was supposed to be your first and only husband. That fucker beat me to it.”
“You also made me a widow,” I pointed out dryly. “Besides, the Foscari are devout Catholics and we never consummated the marriage, so…”
He paused for a moment, mulling over his next words. His tone was tempered when he said, “There are some things we need to say to each other. Aye?”
I nodded warily, not at all looking forward to our discussion.
“You have to know that I was coming for you. You trusted that, didn’t you, Sterling?”
“I did,” I promised. “I had faith that you were on your way. Only…”
“Only what?” he prodded.
“Luca told me that he’d only given you a tranquilizer, and I thought for sure you had a plan up your sleeve. But then you didn’t come for me for eight days, Hadrian.”
“My plan was trying to stay alive,” he remarked snidely. “Ingrid found me vomiting and swollen on the floor, barely able to breathe. It wasn’t a moment too soon. Had to take the helicopter to Lerwick. They killed Patrick when he tried to stop them from taking you off the island.”
I nodded and fell silent.
“Tell me the truth, yarta. Did you ever doubt that I’d come for you?”
“I did today,” I admitted and boldly met his eyes. “You don’t know what he was capable of, Hadrian.”
“Tell me.” His voice so gentle I wanted to weep.
“After he told Angelo he’d marry me, he forced me to take a pregnancy test. I didn’t know, Hadrian, I swear it. He tried to kill our child. He beat me and threatened my life